As McLaren brings the curtain down on a miserable Formula 1 season in Brazil, how many armchair fans out there reckon they could have done better?

Well, there is now a way to find out thanks to Surrey firm Let’s Race.

The racing simulator company is the official "fan base" of Marussia Racing, thanks to its close proximity to F1 star Max Chilton's home in Reigate.

On arrival, the office in Horley looks like a car showroom, racing cars sitting in a pristine white-tiled room.

After checking in, a short safety briefing about how the cars work follows plus a quick run-through of the basics of getting the most out of the experience.

Then it is straight into the car. Once the pedals have been adjusted and steering wheel locked in, the car is ready to head out onto the track and this is where the fun really starts.

A grid of 10 single-seaters stands there ready for the action, each car having three video screens in a panorama around the driver, a steering wheel with paddle gears and 360 degree motion sensors to create the sensation of speed – and the force of the inevitable crashes.

With Kevin Magnussen confirmed as the replacement for Sergio Perez at McLaren next season, I thought it only right to try out Magnussen’s current GP2 car.

But if you are not ready to handle the top speeds, Let’s Race also offers simulator experiences that include Formula Renault – where four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel cut his teeth – as well as some GT road cars.

Barcelona, and more specifically the Catalunya circuit, was my hunting ground as the car breezed out of the pits and onto the asphalt.

Once you’re on track you soon start battling with the torque of the steering wheel, the jolting of the chassis underneath you and changing gear every few seconds.

After 15 minutes I had a time out where my race instructor talked through my telemetry and gave me some tips on improving my times.

Back in the car and I put into practice the advice. After another 15 minutes I had enjoyed my session but did start to feel like it was a glorified video game and not the real thing.

While the simulator is extremely accurate and great fun, there’s little doubt getting out on a track for the day is a better thrill. Despite that, Let’s Race does offer a more cost-effective and convenient solution to getting your racing fix.

Just for the record – and if Ron Dennis or Martin Whitmarsh are reading this at McLaren headquarters – I clocked the fastest time they’d had in a GP2 car at Barcelona.

If Magnussen doesn’t work out next season, you know where I am for 2015.

Sessions vary in price from £15 to £30, depending on the experience selected, and there is even a new 'kids zone' catering for those not quite tall enough for the full simulator.